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Melbourne scorcher causes havoc with A-League plans

Marcin Budzinski of the City celebrates after scoring a goal during the round two A-League match between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City FC at Etihad Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
1st January, 2018
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A-League chiefs are anxiously watching the weekend’s weather forecast in Melbourne, with a re-think needed ahead of a bumper day of football.

A forecast 41-degree day could see A-League and W-League matches shifted to later in the day, moved to different venues, or postponed.

Complicating factors mean there’s no easy fix for league chiefs, with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City scheduled to host matches – as well as City’s W-League team.

Both clubs have sounded out FFA as to the viability of the day’s football ahead of decisions to be made later this week.

Victory are due to host Central Coast in Geelong at 5:35pm.

That would be a no-brainer to push back into the night, except for several factors.

As a standalone game in Victoria’s second city, backed by the City of Geelong, organisers are loathe to meddle with the financial partnership.

Victory don’t want to reschedule given the fixture falls during the festive period, when the Surf Coast’s population swells, and a new date could add congestion to their Asian Champions League campaign.

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A timeshift back into the night is problematic, given the match would clash with City’s game with Wellington Phoenix, kicking off at 7:50pm at AAMI Park.

The A-League makes decisions around kick-off times in consultation with host broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel Ten.

As City’s game is broadcast on both channels, FFA don’t want a clash that drives eyeballs away from the free-to-air match.

The W-League match, which sees Sam Kerr’s Perth Glory visit, is a simpler proposition as it’s not a broadcast match. This could be moved to another time, day or pitch with more ease.

It’s a mess, and one that FFA is watching closely.

“If there is a risk to player or match official safety then matches will be delayed or postponed at the discretion of the Head of the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League in consultation with both clubs and the host broadcaster,” an FFA spokesperson said.

Drinks breaks are extremely likely to be taken under the FFA heat policy, and matches are expected to be delayed or postponed if temperatures soar.

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It also begs the question why Victoria is staging two matches on the same day?

In a season where FFA can’t take a trick, their decision to allow City and Victory to host home games on the same day for the first time in several years has been stymied by mother nature.

But that’s life at the moment for administrators of soccer in Australia; anything that can go wrong generally seems to.

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